FOR a little club from North Manchester, Sedgley Park have big plans, both on and off the pitch.

The club is now in the initial stages of discussions with Philips High School about the development of a multi-sports, full-size all-weather pitch on school land, along with a full size rugby pitch.

The school would have use of the complex during the day until 5.30pm, and the club would be able to use it in the evenings.

The council are believed to be keen for the two to talk, although at this stage funding sources have yet to be identified.

Possibilities include the school selling off part of it's land, and the club identifying appropriate funds and grant available to it.

This development is in addition to the proposed extension of the club onto land currently owned by Whitefield Golf Club, which lies adjacent to the current first team pitch.

"It is our aim to develop the finest possible facilities we can," said Sedgley president Geoff Roberts.

"Now that we have Swinton Lions playing at Park Lane and Salford City Reds training there, the facilities as they stand are getting used more than they should be.

"Swinton also want to use our pitches for training, but at the moment they can't because they are being overused, that will only get worse when the new season starts and all our other teams are playing on them, week in, week out.

"The development at Philips Park High could give us an all-weather training facility and an extra pitch,

"If we could then develop yet another pitch on the land currently owned by the golf club, that would give us five pitches in addition to the first team pitch.

"Our first priority is Sedgley Park. At the moment we run 15 teams in addition to the first team.

"Once we have our own teams catered for then we can look at accommodating both Swinton and Salford and all their needs.

"Both those clubs both want to train and have their junior teams play at Park Lane, if these two projects were to come to fruition then it all becomes possible.

"All three of us just want to get kids playing rugby, we are not bothered which code it is, we just want to get them running with an oval ball and tackling. Only last week Swinton had over 100 kids at a coaching day, and we'd like to build on that."

What odds on the little club from North Manchester one day becoming a much bigger Sedgley Park Sporting Club?

On the pitch Sedgley are being frustrated in their search for a second row forward.

They are finding it increasingly difficult to contact their number one target, an international who is currently playing in South Africa's Currie Cup competition.

Another possible has signed a three-year deal to stay in South Africa, and the club have cooled their interest in a third, a Kiwi, who they didn't think was fit enough, so they are continuing their search for now.

The club had also been in touch with Scottish international Stuart Campbell, who was with Leeds Tykes last season. But he is understood to be starting his own business and has hung up his professional boots.

However, in an effort to unearth future players Sedgley is developing a relationship with South African Vodacom Cup side The Falcons, formerly Eastern Transvaal, one of player-coach Tim Fourie's former clubs.

Until a suitable second row is found it looks like Fourie himself could begin the season at lock.

The following pre-season friendlies have been arranged:

1st XV team

Saturday August 14 Doncaster Away (4pm)

Friday August 20 Manchester Away (6.30pm)

Saturday August 28 Waterloo Away (3pm)

2nd XV team

Wednesday August 18 Rossendale Home (7pm)

Wednesday August 25 Morley Home (TBC)

Saturday August 28 Manchester Home (3pm)